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Thank You! We Love Our Donors!

Without the support of community contributors, the DMPL Foundation would not be able to add value to your library experience by enhancing the Library services, collection and programs. Please help us thank the following donors.

BWA Foundation Donates $3,000 to Des Moines Public Library Foundation

Thanks to the BWA Foundation for their $3,000 grant to purchase a new AWE AfterSchool Edge computer for ages 6 to 14. The new computer was greatly needed at the South Side Library. Brenda Hall, the South Side manager, said: “Thank you so much for designating money for a new AWE computer for South. It is being used by the kids in our community.”

The children there are excited about the new computer. They have had fun learning and playing educational computer games on subjects such as math (Addition & Money), science (World of Goo), and geography (4th Grade Adventures) just to name a few subjects and games.

Kyleigh, pictured, visited the library with her mom and brother. All three of them signed up for new library cards. While her mom browsed the collection, the kids sat down and used the AWE computers

Betterment Grant will help fund Summer Reading & School Readiness Program

“We are truly grateful for the continued support of Prairie Meadows. The grant will allow the Des Moines Public Library to serve over 19,000 children, teens, and their families. The program promotes literacy and academic performance by engaging kids and their families in reading and reading -related activities. All activities are free due to the generosity of our donors,” stated Dory Briles, Des Moines Public Library Foundation Executive Director.

“At Prairie Meadows, we are dedicated to transforming the lives of those living in Central Iowa. We are proud and excited to support this and many other projects in our community,” said Julie Stewart, Prairie Meadows’ Director of Community Relations.

W.T. and Edna M. Dahl Trust $10,000 Gift for Technology Fund

We are delighted to announce a $10,000.00 grant from the W.T. & Edna M. Dahl Trust for the Technology Fund. We greatly appreciate the Trustees Paul R. Tyler and Jerry G. Jones for their generosity and caring. This grant will help the Library provide updated public access computers and printers for library goers to use to apply for jobs, access online materials, apply for college and scholarships, and conduct research for business and personal needs.

Thank You to the Polk County Board of Supervisors

The Polk County Board of Supervisors awarded a $50,000 Community Development Grant to the Library Foundation for the Technology Fund Campaign. This generous grant brings the Library Foundation closer to the goal of $500,000 for the purchase of new computers and technology for adults and children accessing the public computers at all Library locations.

Dawn Taylor, Library Foundation Development Committee co-chair, said: “The Polk County Board of Supervisors’ grant makes it possible for members of our community without computers or internet in their homes to complete homework, access the library web resources for advice on preparing for an interview, writing a resume’, and studying English and 79 other languages. There are thousands of library computer users applying for jobs online, researching health topics, and staying connected to friends and family.”

Humanities Iowa and the National Endowment for the Humanities

On October 31, 2017, Foundation Executive Director, Dory Briles, announced a $5,000 Humanities Iowa major grant for the 2018 AViD (Authors Visiting in Des Moines) program: “We are very grateful for the continued support of AViD by the Board of Directors of Humanities Iowa, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Des Moines Public Library has built its reputation as a state-wide leader in cultural programming through the annual AViD program. Since 2001, the AViD program has brought 120 authors to Iowa to expose Iowans from throughout the state to a wide variety of literary genres and a wide range of authors of diverse backgrounds. This popular series would not be possible without donor support, especially Humanities Iowa.”

2017 Friend of Literacy – The Easter Family

We salute the Easter Family, for helping to make it possible to have a city library system that grows more relevant by the day and is dedicated to cultivating readers of all ages. We thank the Easter Family for their commitment to improving our community.

The Easter Family parents, Don and Marian, were blissfully married for seventy years, with a positive outlook on life they imparted to their children: David (Maud), Paul (Sandy), Dennis (deceased), daughters Martha Easter-Wells (Kriss), Jane Bahls (Steve), and daughter-in-law Jan Stump (Layton). There are ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Don passed away in 2011, age 90, and Marian in 2014, age 97.

Easter Stores and Easter Enterprises were the family business, begun by the father of Don Easter, with a single store in Norwalk. Don and his brothers grew the business into stores in Iowa, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. The business included grocery stores, family centers, hardware stores, trucking and banking.

The Easters have been committed to improving life in central Iowa by supporting the Des Moines Public Library Foundation, Drake University, the Des Moines Symphony, Des Moines Metro Opera, Civic Music Association, the Norwalk Public Library, and the Des Moines Community Playhouse.

A letter from daughter Jane, about her parents, is filled with their love of life, of practicing kindness toward others and the joy they took in contributing to the community by sharing both money and their participation.

Thank You to the BWA Foundation

Thanks to the BWA Foundation for its $3,000 grant used to purchase a new AWE AfterSchool Edge computer for children age 6 to 14. The new computer was greatly needed at the South Side Library. Brenda Hall, South Side manager, said, "Thank you so much for designating money for a new AWE computer for South. It is being used by the kids in our community."

The children there are excited about the new computer. They have had fun learning and playing educational games on subjects such as math (Addition & Money), science (World of Goo), and geography (4th Grade Adventures), just to name a few subjects and games.

Kyleigh, above, recently visited the library with her mom and brother. All three signed up for new library cards, and while their mom browsed the collection, the kids sat dowm and used the AWE computers.

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo approved a grant for $12,500 to fund the very popular and important Des Moines Public Library program, 2018 Summer Reading & School Readiness. For ten weeks in the summer, kids and family members keep up their reading skills and attend free educational and entertaining events. In 2017, 6,640 children and teens were enrolled. A total of 12,838 kids and adults attended the 623 free events. From August through December, children and teens improve literacy skills and learn to use all the free library resources to succeed in school.

Thank You to Our Donors

The following donations were received by the Des Moines Public Library Foundation from April 20, 2018 through June 30, 2018. We apologize for any errors or omissions. Please contact us, and we will make corrections.